COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Gerard Rosato (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.01pm in closed session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies as detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
Members noted that Lindsay Dundas, Clerical Officer was leaving the Committee staff team to take up a post on promotion in the Finance Office. The Chairperson and Members congratulated Lindsay and thanked him for his hard work.
The Chairperson welcomed two new members to the Committee staff team: Gerard Rosato, Clerical Supervisor and Christopher McNickle, Clerical Officer.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 st April 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 st April 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr David Hilditch
Seconded: Mr Alastair Ross
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Report from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on complaints against Members
Members noted the contents of a Report received from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member.
2.12pm The Chairperson welcomed Dr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards and Mr John MacQuarrie, Director for Standards and Special Projects, Ombudsman’s Office and invited them to make a presentation to the Committee. After the presentation Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie answered a number of questions from the Committee.
2.30pm Mr Clarke joined the meeting.
2.40pm Mr Maskey joined the meeting.
4.08pm Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting.
4.08pm The meeting adjourned.
4.18pm The meeting re-convened.
Agreed: Following discussion Mr Clarke, seconded by Mr Maskey, put the proposal that the Committee support the first recommendation in the Report of the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
The Chairperson put the question: that the Committee support the first recommendation in the Report of the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
The Committee divided –
| AYES | NOES |
|---|---|
| Mrs Hanna Mr Clarke Mr Brolly Mr Maskey Mr Wilson |
Mr Bresland Rev Coulter Mr Craig Mr Hilditch Mr Ross Mr Savage |
The motion fell.
Agreed: The Committee reached agreement on the remaining recommendations and conclusions in the Report of the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
Agreed: Members agreed that a brief draft Committee Report on the Complaint should be prepared by the Clerk and that the Committee should meet as a matter of urgency to agree its contents. It was further agreed that the meeting should take place on Thursday, 30 th April 2009 and that the draft Report should be circulated to Members for their consideration in advance of the meeting.
4.50pm Mr Maskey left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Assembly Commission highlighting issues raised with regard to the current rules on Office Cost Allowances.
6. Application for an All Party Assembly Group on the Community and Voluntary Sector
Mr Jonathan Craig and Mr Brian Wilson declared an interest in the proposed All Party Group on the Community and Voluntary Sector.
Agreed: Members approved the formation of an All Party Assembly Group on the Community and Voluntary Sector.
7. Correspondence
Members noted the contents of the Clerk’s letter to the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
Members noted the contents of a letter received from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
8. Any other business
Agreed: Members agreed the draft Forward Work Plan.
Agreed: Following discussion Members agreed that, as a result of the Report of the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards having been leaked to the press in advance of today’s Committee meeting, the Committee would have to give further consideration to the investigation of this leak and the issue of how best to deal with these Reports to ensure confidentiality is maintained.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 12.30pm on Thursday 30 th April 2009 in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.03pm.